Fort Smith Pet Panel Modifies Prize Rule

Fort Smith's pet panel is pursuing a new version of its proposed "animals as prizes" rule that the Fort Smith Board of Directors rejected in December, then again in February.

Fort Smith’s pet panel is pursuing a new version of its proposed “animals as prizes” rule that the Fort Smith Board of Directors rejected in December, then again in February.

The scrapped proposal made it illegal to offer animals as prizes, targeting mainly raffles and auctions. It would have allowed animals to be auctioned off at live events, but outlawed them from being physically present.

An updated version exempts charitable organizations.

“So if the Ducks Unlimited wants to do it, and they’re a nonprofit charitable institution, they can do it,” said veterinarian and Animal Services Advisory Board member Jon Remer.

The proposal was one of three directors sent back to the advisory board in December. In its February incarnation, livestock had been added as an exception to the rule, but the advisory board held on to the requirement that animals auctioned off at other events cannot be present.

“I just don’t want a puppy, like a newborn baby, passed within 200 people,” Remer said. “Everyone wants to grab the puppy and hold the puppy and play with the puppy.”

In December, Jim Simmons, representing the Fort Smith Board of Realtors, said his organization was opposed to the regulation.

“Over the last 10 years, we’ve had a Special Olympics fundraiser, and we have used a puppy,” he said. “We have sold those to raise funds. Last year, we raised over $30,000 for Special Olympics, and the puppy sold for $800.”

Despite the proposal’s newest modification, Lau said he has no desire to revisit the issue.

“I want to focus in on other issues that are bigger than the animal-control ordinance,” he said Thursday.

Still, the advisory board, which has agreed to pursue the regulation once again, hopes directors will consider the change.

“I just don’t understand how they could not pass it,” Remer said. “If we don’t make it a charitable, not-for-profit corporation, we’ll have people auctioning off puppies in the backyard, and they’ll be completely within the law.”

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